Beginning in 2008, the City of Atlanta initiated a public discourse concerning the relocation and rebuilding of the Central Atlanta Library. Currently located in the Fairlie-Poplar district of Atlanta, the library is viewed by some city officials as isolated and outdated. As part of the dialogue, ai3 contributed a set of conceptual renderings for the library to help illustrate and generate public support for the project.

When exploring potential design directions for the new library, ai3 sought foremost to reinvent the typical American library, dismantling the introverted model in favor of a more inclusive and engaging design. Seeing educational and entertainment possibilities in the proposed location solidified the idea. In the midst of a new downtown development, which includes Centennial Olympic Park, The Georgia Aquarium, The Children’s Museum of Atlanta and The World of Coca Cola, the potential Central Atlanta Library could have a significant impact on the community if designed as a truly public venue.

ai3’s design for the new Central Atlanta Library is a radical and refreshing departure from typical library designs. The main structure is constructed of metal and glass, creating a transparent multi-story building comprised of “suspended” levels. From the street, patrons enter the library through a rectangular wood-clad channel that intersects the curvilinear form of the main building. An elevated green plaza serves as the library’s “front porch,” providing performance and event space for use by the public.